Seongjong of Joseon
Encyclopedia
Seongjong of Joseon was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty
of Korea
. He succeeded King Yejong
in 1469 and ruled until 1494.
, nephew of Yejong
. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 when the weak king died when his son were too young to succeed him. Since he was too young to govern the kingdom effectively (he was 13 when he was crowned), Queen Jeonghee
, his grandmother, ruled the nation in his name, along with the king's mother, Queen Insu (whose husband had never actually been king, but he was ascended to throne posthumously). In 1476, at the age of 20, he began to govern the country in his own name.
His reign was marked by the prosperity and growth of the national economy, based on the laws laid down by kings Taejong
, Sejong
, and Sejo
. He himself was a gifted ruler. In 1474, the code of law, first ordered by King Sejo, was completed and put into effect. Seongjong also ordered revisions and improvements to the code.
Besides the law, he also encouraged Confucian scholars; He greatly expanded Hongmungwan (홍문관, 弘文館), the royal library and advisory council to the king at the same time, and strengthened so-called Three Offices (Hongmungwan, Office of Inspector General, Office of Censors) as check and balance on the Royal Court. For the first time since King Sejong, he brought many liberal Confucian scholars to his court, whose political views went against those of the conservative officials (members of the nobility) who had helped kings Taejong and Sejo to power. In this way he made his rule more effective by appointing able administrators regardless of their political views. His policy resulted in many positive innovations, increasing his number of supporters. The king himself was an artist and scholar, and liked to argue about the finer points of politics with more liberal scholars. He encouraged scholars to publish numerous books about geography and social etiquette, for example, as well as areas of knowledge that benefited the common people.
He also sent several military campaigns against the Jurchens
on the northern border in 1491, like many of his predecessors. The campaign, led by Gen. Heo Jong (허종, 許琮), was successful, and the defeated Jurchens
led by Udige (兀狄哈) retreated to the north of Amrokgang
. King Seongjong was succeeded by his son, Yeonsangun, in 1494.
.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. He succeeded King Yejong
Yejong of Joseon
Yejong of Joseon was the 8th king of the Joseon Dynasty Korea. He succeeded his father, King Sejo in 1468, but was too physically ill to govern, and died a year later....
in 1469 and ruled until 1494.
Reign
He was grandson of King SejoSejo of Joseon
Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
, nephew of Yejong
Yejong of Joseon
Yejong of Joseon was the 8th king of the Joseon Dynasty Korea. He succeeded his father, King Sejo in 1468, but was too physically ill to govern, and died a year later....
. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 when the weak king died when his son were too young to succeed him. Since he was too young to govern the kingdom effectively (he was 13 when he was crowned), Queen Jeonghee
Queen Jeonghee
Queen Jeonghui was Queen Consort to King Sejo of Joseon and the mother of Sejo's successor King Yejong of Joseon. Following her husband's death in 1468, she served as regent for her weak son from 1468 to 1469 and for her young grandson from 1469 to 1477...
, his grandmother, ruled the nation in his name, along with the king's mother, Queen Insu (whose husband had never actually been king, but he was ascended to throne posthumously). In 1476, at the age of 20, he began to govern the country in his own name.
His reign was marked by the prosperity and growth of the national economy, based on the laws laid down by kings Taejong
Taejong of Joseon
King Taejong was the third king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great.-Founding of Joseon:...
, Sejong
Sejong the Great of Joseon
Sejong the Great was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. During his regency, he reinforced Korean Confucian policies and executed major legal amendments . He also used the creation of Hangul and the advancement of technology to expand his territory...
, and Sejo
Sejo of Joseon
Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
. He himself was a gifted ruler. In 1474, the code of law, first ordered by King Sejo, was completed and put into effect. Seongjong also ordered revisions and improvements to the code.
Besides the law, he also encouraged Confucian scholars; He greatly expanded Hongmungwan (홍문관, 弘文館), the royal library and advisory council to the king at the same time, and strengthened so-called Three Offices (Hongmungwan, Office of Inspector General, Office of Censors) as check and balance on the Royal Court. For the first time since King Sejong, he brought many liberal Confucian scholars to his court, whose political views went against those of the conservative officials (members of the nobility) who had helped kings Taejong and Sejo to power. In this way he made his rule more effective by appointing able administrators regardless of their political views. His policy resulted in many positive innovations, increasing his number of supporters. The king himself was an artist and scholar, and liked to argue about the finer points of politics with more liberal scholars. He encouraged scholars to publish numerous books about geography and social etiquette, for example, as well as areas of knowledge that benefited the common people.
He also sent several military campaigns against the Jurchens
Jurchens
The Jurchens were a Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century, when they adopted the name Manchu...
on the northern border in 1491, like many of his predecessors. The campaign, led by Gen. Heo Jong (허종, 許琮), was successful, and the defeated Jurchens
Jurchens
The Jurchens were a Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century, when they adopted the name Manchu...
led by Udige (兀狄哈) retreated to the north of Amrokgang
Yalu River
The Yalu River or the Amnok River is a river on the border between North Korea and the People's Republic of China....
. King Seongjong was succeeded by his son, Yeonsangun, in 1494.
Family
- Father: Prince Successor Uigyeong (이장 의경세자, 1438-September 2, 1457)
- Adoptive Father: King YejongYejong of JoseonYejong of Joseon was the 8th king of the Joseon Dynasty Korea. He succeeded his father, King Sejo in 1468, but was too physically ill to govern, and died a year later....
(예종)
- Adoptive Father: King Yejong
- Mother: Queen Sohye of the Cheongju Han clan (소혜왕후 한씨, October 7, 1437-April 27, 1504)
- Adoptive Mother: Queen Ansun of the Cheongju Han clan (안순왕후 한씨, 1445(?)-December 23, 1498)
- Consorts and their Respective Issue:
- Queen Gonghye of the Cheongju Han clan (공혜왕후 한씨, October 11, 1456-April 15, 1474) - No Issue.
- Queen Jeheon of the Ham-an Yoon clanDeposed Queen Lady YunDeposed Queen Lady Yun or Waste Queen Lady Yun , 11th generation descendant of General Yun Kwan , was Joseon Dynasty's King Seongjong of Joseon's second wife...
(제헌왕후, 1445-August 16, 1482)- Yi Ryung, the Royal Prince (이륭 원자)Yeonsangun of JoseonYeonsan-gun , born Yi Yung, was the 10th king of Korea's Joseon Dynasty. He was the eldest son of Seongjong by his second wife, Lady Yoon. He is often considered the worst tyrant in Joseon Dynasty, notorious for launching two bloody purges of the seonbi elite...
, 2nd Son - 2 Unnamed Sons
- Yi Ryung, the Royal Prince (이륭 원자)
- Yoon Chang-nyeon, the Queen Jeonghyeon, of the Papyeong Yoon clan (윤창년 정현왕후, 1462-1530)
- Yi Yeok, the Grand Prince Jinseong (이역 진성대군)Jungjong of JoseonJungjong of Joseon , born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.-Jo Gwang-jo's reforms:On the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers...
, Only Son - Princess Sunsuk (순숙공주), 1st Daughter
- Princess Shinsuk (신숙공주), 2nd Daughter
- Yi Yeok, the Grand Prince Jinseong (이역 진성대군)
- Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Andong Kim clan (명빈 김씨)
- Yi Jong, the Prince Musan (이종 무산군), Only Son
- Kim Suk-ui (숙의 김씨)
- Princess Hwisuk (휘숙옹주, ?-?), 1st Daughter
- Princess Gyeongsuk (경숙옹주), 2nd Daughter
- Princess Hwijeong (휘정옹주), 3rd Daughter
- Jeong Geum-yi, Gwi-in, of the Chogye Jeong clan (귀인 정금이), ?-March 20, 1504)
- Yi Hang, the Prince Anyang (이항 안양군, 1480-1505), 1st Son
- Yi Bong, the Prince Bongan (이봉 봉안군, 1482-1505), 2nd Son
- Princess Jeonghye (정혜옹주, ?-1507), Only Daughter
- Kwon Gwi-in (귀인 권씨)
- Yi Byeon, the Prince Jeonseong (이변 전성군), Only Son
- Eom Eunsosa, Gwi-in, of the Yeongwol Eom clan (귀인 엄은소사, ?-March 20, 1504)
- Princess Gongshin (공신옹주, ?-?), Only Daughter
- Lee Suk-ui (숙의 이씨) - No Issue.
- Ha Suk-ui (숙의 하씨)
- Yi Sun, the Prince Gyeseong (이순 계성군, 1478-1504), Only Son
- Hong Suk-ui of the Namyang Hong clan (숙의 홍씨, ?-?)
- Yi Soo, the Prince Wanwon (이수 완원군, 1480-1509), 1st Son
- Yi Nyeom, the Prince Hwoesan (이념 회산군, 1481-1512), 2nd Son
- Yi Don, the Prince Gyeonseong (이돈 견성군), 3rd Son
- Yi Hwoe, the Prince Ikyang (이회 익양군), 4th Son
- Yi Chim, the Prince Gyeongmyeong (이침 경명군), 5th Son
- Yi In, the Prince Euncheon (이인 은천군), 6rd Son
- Yi Hui, the Prince Yangwon (이희 양원군), 7th Son
- Princess Hyesuk (혜숙옹주, ?-?), 1st Daughter
- Princess Jeongsun (정순옹주), 2nd Daughter
- Princess Jeongsuk (정숙옹주), 3rd Daughter
- Nam Suk-ui (숙의 남씨) - No Issue.
- Shim Suk-yong (숙용 심씨)
- Yi Gwan, the Prince Yiseong (이관 이성군, 1489-1552), 1st Son
- Yi Jeon, the Prince Yeongan (이전 영안군), 2nd Son
- Princess Gyeongsun (경순옹주), 1st Daughter
- Princess Sukhye (숙혜옹주), 2nd Daughter
- Kwon Suk-yong (숙용 권씨)
- Princess Gyeonghwi (경휘옹주), Only Daughter
- Yoon Suk-won (숙원 윤씨) - No Issue.
His full posthumous name
- King Seongjong Gangjeong Inmun Heonmu Heumseong Gonghyo the Great of Korea
- 성종강정인문헌무흠성공효대왕
- 成宗康靖仁文憲武欽聖恭孝大王
Portrayal in media
He was portrayed in the 2008 television series The King and IThe King and I (TV series)
The King and I is a South Korean historical drama series that aired on SBS in 2007-2008. It began airing on August 27, 2007, and was moderately successful, having its ratings peak at 20%...
.